Strawberry plant named ‘GLORY’

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘Glory’. This new strawberry plant named ‘Glory’ is primarily adapted to the growing conditions of the central coast of California, and is primarily characterized by its orange red to red fruit color; medium sized fruit; cylindrical to cordiform fruit shape; achene position that ranges from level with to below the fruit surface; large sized calyx; medium plant size; plant density that ranges from medium to open; light to medium green foliage color; medium sized foliage; and moderate to heavy petiole pubescence.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Fragaria ananassa.

Variety denomination: ‘Glory’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘Glory’. This new variety is a result of a controlled cross made in 1997 between strawberry variety designated ‘PS-1269’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,686) and strawberry variety designated ‘PS-2286’ (unpatented) in an ongoing breeding program. The variety is botanically known as Fragaria ananassa. The new variety is distinguished from its parents primarily in fruit color.

The seedling resulting from the aforementioned cross was selected from a controlled breeding plot in Monterey County, California in 1999. After its selection, the new variety was asexually propagated by stolons in nurseries located in Siskiyou County, California and San Joaquin County, California. The new variety was extensively tested over the next several years in fruiting fields in Monterey County, California and Ventura County, California. This propagation has demonstrated that the combination of traits disclosed herein as characterizing the new variety are fixed and remain true to type through successive generations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘Glory’ is primarily adapted to the climate and growing conditions of the central coast of California. This region provides the necessary winter temperatures required for it to produce a strong vigorous plant and to remain in fruit production from October through December. The nearby Pacific Ocean provides the needed humidity and moderate temperatures to maintain fruit quality during the fall production months.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Glory’, which in combination distinguish this strawberry plant as a new and distinct variety:

-   -   1. Orange red to red fruit color;     -   2. Medium sized fruit;     -   3. Cylindrical to cordiform fruit shape;     -   4. Achene position that ranges from level with to below the         fruit surface;     -   5. Large sized calyx;     -   6. Medium plant size;     -   7. Plant density that ranges from medium to open;     -   8. Light to medium green foliage color;     -   9. Medium sized foliage; and     -   10. Moderate to heavy petiole pubescence.

The strawberry variety that is believed to be most closely related to the new strawberry variety ‘Glory’ is ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,597). In comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’, the new strawberry variety ‘Glory’ differs by the following combination of characteristics as described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) 1. Color of mature fruit Orange red to red Red 2. Marketable yield (gm/plt) 511 457 3. Predominant fruit shape Cylindrical to Conical to cordiform wedged 4. Insertion of achenes Level with to below Above the surface the surface 5. Plant size Medium Medium to Iarge 6. Plant density Medium to open Medium 7. Stolon anthocyanin Strong Medium intensity 8. Interveinal blistering Medium Medium to strong 9. Foliage gloss Medium Medium to strong 10. Foliage size Medium Medium to large 11. Petiole pubescence Moderate to heavy Moderate 12. Fruiting truss pubescence Weak to medium Medium

For identification a series of AFLP molecular markers have been determined for this new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs illustrate the overall appearance of typical specimens of the new strawberry variety ‘Glory’, at various stages of development as true as it is reasonably possible with color reproductions of this type. Color in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the botanical description which accurately describe the color of ‘Glory’. The depicted plant and plant parts of the new strawberry variety ‘Glory’ were taken in Ventura County, California and are approximately 3 to 4 months old:

FIG. 1 shows typical fruiting field characteristics of ‘Glory’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of typical leaf structure of ‘Glory’ taken in the month of November 2007.

FIG. 3 shows typical mature and immature fruit of ‘Glory’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of mature fruit of ‘Glory’ taken in the month of October 2007.

FIG. 5 shows typical internal and external mature fruit characteristics of ‘Glory’ taken in the month of October 2007.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

‘Glory’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The characteristics of the new variety may vary in detail, depending upon variations in environmental factors, including weather (temperature, humidity and light intensity), day length, soil type and location.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following description of the new variety ‘Glory’, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken during the 2007 growing season in Ventura County, California. These measurements and ratings were taken from plants of ‘Glory’ dug from a low-elevation nursery located in San Joaquin County, California during late January 2007 and planted approximately 6 months later in Ventura County, California. The approximate age of the observed plants is 3 to 4 months. Yield observations and fruit quality characteristics are averaged from four years of data collected from the 2004 through 2007 growing seasons. Flower measurements and characteristics are from secondary flowers unless otherwise noted. Fruit characteristics and measurements are from secondary fruit unless otherwise noted.

Color terminology where noted follows the Munsell Book of Colors, Munsell Color, Baltimore, Md. (1976).

The following tables 2-8 describe fruit, plant, stolon, foliage, fruiting truss, flower and pest disease characteristics of the new strawberry ‘Glory’ in comparison to the similar strawberry variety ‘PS-2880’ (patented, U.S. Plant Pat No. 15,597).

TABLE 2 FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Color of mature 7.5R 3/12 to 4/10 7.5R 4/8 to 3/8 fruit Ranges from orange red Red to red Color of internal 7.5R 4/10 to 4/12 7.5R 3/12 to 4/12 flesh Medium red Medium red Length (cm) 4.5 4.7 Width (cm) 3.8 3.6 Ratio length/width 1.18 1.29 Slightly longer than Slightly longer than broad broad Calyx diameter (cm) 5.4 5.4 Average weight 21.4 20.7 (gm) Achene color 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 5Y 6/8 to 7.5R 3/8 Ranges from medium Ranges from medium yellow to medium red yellow to medium red Achene weight (mg) 0.48 0.53 Achenes per berry 344 364 Marketable yield 511 457 (gm/plt) Fruit size Medium Medium Predominant shape Ranges from almost Ranges from conical cylindrical to to wedged cordiform Difference in shapes Slight to moderate Moderate between primary and secondary fruit Band without Absent or very narrow Absent or very narrow achenes Unevenness of Medium Medium to strong surface Evenness of color Slightly uneven Ranges from even to slightly uneven Glossiness Ranges from medium Ranges from medium to strong to strong Insertion of achenes Ranges from level with Above the surface to below the surface Insertion of calyx Ranges from in the basin Ranges from in the basin to level with the fruit to level with the fruit Attitude of the calyx Ranges from spreading Ranges frorn spreading to reflexed to reflexed Size of calyx in Ranges from slightly Slightly larger relation to fruit larger to much diameter larger Adherence of calyx Strong Weak Firmness of skin Medium Medium Firmness of flesh Medium Firm Distribution of Marginal and central Marginal and central red color of the flesh Hollow center Moderate Ranges from strong expression to moderate Flavor Good Fair to good Soluble solids 8.4 7.7 (% Brix) Time of first Ranges from early Ranges from early flowering to medium to medium Time of first Ranges from early Ranges from early harvesting to medium to medium Harvest period Late September to Late September to mid December mid December Type of bearing Fully everbearing Fully everbearing

TABLE 3 PLANT CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Height (cm) 23.8 26.4 Spread (cm) 34.2 35.8 Size Medium Ranges from medium to large Habit Globose Globose Density Ranges from open to Medium medium Vigor Medium Ranges from medium to strong

TABLE 4 STOLON CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Average number per plant 8.3 5.3 Anthocyanin intensity Strong Medium Anthocyanin coloration 7.5R 4/6 to 4/8 7.5R 4/6 to 5/6 Diameter at bract (mm) 2.7 3.3 Medium Ranges from medium to thick Pubescence Strong Strong

TABLE 5 FOLIAGE CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Foliage: Color of upper surface 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 7.5GY 3/4 to 4/4 Ranges from light to Ranges from light to medium green medium green Color of under side 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 5GY 5/4 to 6/4 Light grey green Light grey grccn Shape in cross section Ranges from Ranges from slightly slightly concave concave to flat to flat Interveinal blistering Medium Ranges from medium to strong Glossiness Medium Ranges from medium to strong Number of leaflets Three Three Terminal Leaflet: Length (cm) 8.8 10.3 Width (cm) 8.3 8.8 Length/width ratio 1.06 1.18 Serrations/leaf 19.7 22.9 Size Medium Ranges from medium to large Shape of base Acute Acute Shape of teeth Obtuse Obtuse Petiole: Petiole color 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 Medium yellow Medium yellow green green Length (cm) 15.7 13.9 Diameter (mm) 4.1 4.3 Petiolule color 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 5GY 6/6 to 7/6 Medium yellow Medium yellow green green Petiolule length (mm) 16.1 15.3 Pubescence Ranges from mod- Moderate erate to heavy Attitude of hairs Slightly outward Slightly outward Stipule: Color 2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 2.5GY 5/6 to 6/6 Medium yellow Medium yellow green green Length (mm) 27.0 26.3 Width (mm) 8.7 9.2 Anthocyanin intensity Weak Absent or very weak Anthocyanin color 10RP 4/10 to 4/12 10RP 5/6 to 5/8 Red purple Red purple

TABLE 6 FRUITlNG TRUSS CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Length (cm) 24.7 27.1 Flower position relative Level with the foliage Level with the to foliage foliage Anthocyanin intensity Strong Weak Anthocyanin color 10RP 4/8 to 4/10 10RP 5/6 to 6/6 Red purple Red purple Pubescence Ranges from weak to Medium medium Attitude at first pick Prostrate Prostrate

TABLE 7 FLOWER CHARACTERISTICS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Petal color N 9.5/90.0% R to N 9.5/90.0% R to 9.25/84.2% R 9.25/84.2% R White White Corolla diameter (mm) 33.7 33.6 Calyx diameter (mm) 44.5 34.1 Petal length (mm) 12.7 13.0 Petal width (mm) 12.7 13.8 Petal length/width ratio 1.0 0.95 Petals/flower 5.6 6.5 Sepal color 5GY 4/4 to 4/6 5GY 4/4 to 4/6 Medium yellow Medium yellow green green Sepal length (mm) 17.1 12.3 Sepal width (mm) 5.3 4.4 Sepal length/width ratio 3.21 2.78 Sepals/flower 10.3 12.3 Size of calyx relative to Larger Ranges from same size to corolla larger Size of inner calyx Smaller Smaller relative to outer calyx Relative position of Overlapping Overlapping petals

TABLE 8 PEST AND DISEASE REACTIONS ‘PS-2880’ (U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘GLORY’ Pat. No. 15,597) Two spotted spider mite Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Lygus bug Susceptible Susceptible Flower thrips Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Powdery mildew Moderately susceptible Susceptible Botrytis fruit rot Moderately susceptible Moderately susceptible Angular leaf spot Moderately susceptible Susceptible 

1. A new and distinct strawberry plant named ‘Glory’, as herein described and illustrated by the characteristics set forth above. 